(June 25, 1993) In Villa Guillermina (Santa Fe, Argentina) a school has been opened with solar energy facilities. This is the first of 300 promised by Santa Fe's governor, C. Reutermann. In 1991 Santa Fe was declared a Nuclear Free Zone and its governor is looking for alternatives.
(383.3838) WISE Amsterdam - For this first school, the economic support comes from the proceeds of a TV program, "Histories of the Secret Argentina". Though the first of 300 promised by the governor, it is actually the 6th such school in the region. The other five were built as part of the provincial energy plan and were made possible due to an international loan for 70% of the costs. (The solar facilities for each school cost Us$6000.) Where the funding for the other 299 schools will come from, however, is as yet unclear.
There are more solar projects running in Argentina, such as a complete solar village in Mendoza, schools in Neuquen, and water pump stations in Catamarca and La Rioja.
Source and contact: Taller Ecologista, Casilla 56 suc.8, 2000 Rosario, Argentina; fax: + 54-41-560179.